Fog of War goes two-for-two in Woodbine's Summer Stakes

Peter Brant’s Fog of War ran as expected in Sunday’s Grade 1 Summer Stakes at Woodbine, sitting off the pace behind horses before crossing the wire in front. The win gave the Chad Brown trainee an automatic berth into the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

It was only the second start for the War Front colt, who rallied to a neck victory at 5 ½ furlongs during the Saratoga meet.

“The fact that he’s bred to go longer and he won at 5 ½ like that, and showed that burst of speed, that was very encouraging,” said Brant. “But you never know until you get further down the road like here and run in a Group 1. You never know whether that was their day or not and if there’s more to come. You always hope and this is a game of great hopes and that’s what keeps us all in.”



Longshot Wallace was quick to grab the lead, pulling away to set opening fractions in 23.36, 46.20 and 1:10.00. Jockey Javier Castellano settled a few lengths back on the rail. Turning for home, the field fanned out and Fog of War ended up behind horses. War of Will was the first to find running room when Wallace faded, even looking like he had a good shot to win. Fog of War then spit horses and made his bid down the middle, catching War of Will and fending off late runners.

“This is such a special horse to be able to cover up a little bit behind the horses the first time we stretch him out in a mile race. He came from 5 ½ in Saratoga. He’s got so much talent and ability,” said winning jockey Javier Castellano.

“I put him behind horses, covered up, and let him see the target all the way in the race. I liked the way he split horses at the quarter pole. He’s really a smart horse. When I asked him, he finished really well. These are the kind of horses you want to ride and these kind of horses have a lot of potential.”

Fog of War wore down the new leader to remain undefeated in two starts. The mile went in 1:33.90. War of Will, Nashtrick and Avie’s Flatter were next in line.